5 Friends Every Freelancer Needs

Freelancing is lonely work – quite honestly you wouldn’t have gotten into it if you just loved staff meetings and co-workers dropping by your cube unannounced. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be a lone wolf. Even freelancers need some friends now and then.

The Other Freelancer

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Maybe this is a mentor, maybe it’s someone you met in a networking event, or maybe it’s just the person you noticed takes her dog for walks at all hours of the day and rarely seems like she leaves home. Having a friend who also freelancers is important because people with traditional office jobs won’t ever really understand what it’s like to one day realize you can actually choose laundry as a procrastination device. Seriously though, having someone to go to with questions who also works solo from home is critical when new situations pop up you don’t know how to handle. And also, the day your friend comes to you for advice you will get a good confidence boost.

The Gung-Ho Artist

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A painter, a documentary maker, the photographer who wants to showcase his work hanging upside down from a bridge in the middle of Nebraska – a true starving artist friend with the deepest passion for their work will inspire you to keep focused on your own goals and also be grateful you are making a tangible income. A gung-ho artist friend will help you see how passion truly can drive your day, and chances are you became a freelancer because you wanted more creative freedom. The gung-ho artist can quickly rekindle your creativity and passion for your work during just a quick meeting for coffee.

The Working Stiff

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This will make up most of your friend circle, but freelancers do need to be reminded what color the grass is on the other side from time to time. It’s completely normal to search through job ads and revel over the benefits and health coverage offered by companies just down the road. But you bit the bullet for a reason and owe it to yourself to stick out freelancing until you see success (which will come). Just joining your working-stiff co-worker in his hot suit for a happy-hour drink and listening to him complain about the person burning popcorn in the microwave will cast your home office in a whole new light.

The Sporty/Athletic Friend

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I admit, this is probably the first friend you want to push away, but don’t. You’re friend who is obsessed with rock climbing, addicted to triathlons, or just really into the latest sport trend (trampolining? Ultimate Frisbee?) will wear you down with invitations until you agree to get out of the house and get some exercise. As a freelancer, there will always be a project you can be working on, and the exercise routine can quickly take a backseat to the never ending pile of work. But if you have a friend who is constantly reminding you the tennis court is open, you are likelier to get out and stay healthy.

The Unconditional Support

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This is most likely a spouse or your mom, but every freelancer needs someone who believes in them, their talent, and their work ethic – because the truth is sometimes you won’t. Most clients will love your work, but a handful will just never be satisfied, and having that person who can tell you to keep at it because they believe in you might be the only thing that gets you out of the cycle of not feeling good enough to achieve your goals.